Distributed tax-return-preparation processing

ABSTRACT

A method and system includes providing to a tax-data provider a set of computer-executable instructions that, when executed by an electronic device, generate a user interface displayable on a display device coupled to the electronic device and operable to enable the tax-data provider to enter a tax-data set. The electronic system receives, but does not store, the tax-data set. A mathematical operation is performed using the received tax data, yielding a value. The electronic system provides the value to the electronic device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation and claims priority benefitwith regard to all common subject matter, of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/334,032, filed Jan. 17, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,468,077,issued Jun. 18, 2013; which is a non-provisional application and claimspriority benefit, with regard to all common subject matter, ofearlier-filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/644,328 filedJan. 14, 2005 (“the '328 Provisional Application”). The followingapplications are also commonly owned and assigned and claim priority tothe '328 Provisional Application: U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/334,033, filed Jan. 17, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,224,726, issuedJul. 17, 2012, entitled “USER INTERFACE FOR TAX-RETURN PREPARATION”; andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/334,730, filed Jan. 17, 2006,entitled “USER INTERFACE AND DATA ACQUISITION FOR TAX-RETURNPREPARATION.” Each of the above-listed patents and patent applicationsare herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

This invention relates generally to computing environments and, morespecifically, to a user interface and system enabling a user to preparea tax return.

BACKGROUND

Many of those who prepare tax returns are familiar with the myriadtax-return-preparation-software products currently available. Someversions of these products allow the user to prepare a tax returnonline. A typical online product employs a secure web interface thatallows customers to enter tax-data, which is then encrypted andtransmitted for storage on a database associated with servers maintainedby the product vendor. In such an arrangement, the user must rely onsecurity measures taken by the vendor to store and safeguard this taxdata, which may include sensitive information.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment of the invention, a method includes providing to atax-data provider a set of computer-executable instructions that, whenexecuted by an electronic device, generate a user interface displayableon a display device coupled to the electronic device and operable toenable the tax-data provider to enter a tax-data set. The electronicsystem receives, but does not store, the tax-data set. A mathematicaloperation is performed using the received tax data, yielding a value.The electronic system provides the value to the electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention aredescribed in detail below with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary operating environment inwhich an embodiment of the invention can be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary operatingenvironment in which an embodiment of the invention can be implemented;

FIG. 3 is a first schematic view of a graphical user interface (GUI)according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method according to anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a suitable computing system environment100 on which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Thecomputing system environment 100 is only one example of a suitablecomputing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation asto the scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the invention.Neither should the computing environment 100 be interpreted as havingany dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination ofcomponents illustrated in the exemplary operating environment 100.

Embodiments of the invention are operational with numerous othergeneral-purpose or special-purpose computing-system environments orconfigurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments,and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with embodiments ofthe invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers,server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based systems, set-top boxes, programmable consumerelectronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers,distributed-computing environments that include any of the above systemsor devices, and the like.

Embodiments of the invention may be described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.Embodiments of the invention may also be practiced indistributed-computing environments where tasks are performed by remoteprocessing devices that are linked through a communications network. Ina distributed-computing environment, program modules may be located inboth local- and remote-computer storage media including memory storagedevices.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system for implementing anembodiment of the invention includes a computing device, such ascomputing device 100. In its most basic configuration, computing device100 typically includes at least one processing unit 102 and memory 104.

Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device,memory 104 may be volatile (such as random-access memory (RAM)),non-volatile (such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, etc.) orsome combination of the two. This most basic configuration isillustrated in FIG. 1 by dashed line 106.

Additionally, device 100 may have additional features/functionality. Forexample, device 100 may also include additional storage (removableand/or non-removable) including, but not limited to, magnetic or opticaldisks or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated in FIG. 1 byremovable storage 108 and non-removable storage 110. Computer storagemedia includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removablemedia implemented in any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modulesor other data. Memory 104, removable storage 108 and non-removablestorage 110 are all examples of computer storage media. Computer storagemedia includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory orother memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or otheroptical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which canbe used to store the desired information and which can be accessed bydevice 100. Any such computer storage media may be part of device 100.

Device 100 may also contain communications connection(s) 112 that allowthe device to communicate with other devices. Communicationsconnection(s) 112 is an example of communication media. Communicationmedia typically embodies computer-readable instructions, datastructures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signalsuch as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes anyinformation delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, radio-frequency (RF), infrared and other wireless media. Theterm computer-readable media as used herein includes both storage mediaand communication media.

Device 100 may also have input device(s) 114 such as keyboard, mouse,pen, voice-input device, touch-input device, etc. Output device(s) 116such as a display, speakers, printer, etc. may also be included. Allsuch devices are well-known in the art and need not be discussed atlength here.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an embodiment of the present invention can bedescribed in the context of an exemplary computer network system 200 asillustrated. System 200 includes an electronic client device 210, suchas a personal computer or workstation, that is linked via acommunication medium, such as a network 220 (e.g., the Internet), to anelectronic device or system, such as a server 230. The server 230 mayfurther be coupled, or otherwise have access, to a database 240 and acomputer system 260. Although the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2includes one server 230 coupled to one client device 210 via the network220, it should be recognized that embodiments of the invention may beimplemented using one or more such client devices coupled to one or moresuch servers.

In an embodiment, each of the client device 210 and server 230 mayinclude all or fewer than all of the features associated with the device100 illustrated in and discussed with reference to FIG. 1. Client device210 includes or is otherwise coupled to a computer screen or display250. As is well known in the art, client device 210 can be used forvarious purposes including both network- and local-computing processes.

The client device 210 is linked via the network 220 to server 230 sothat computer programs, such as, for example, a browser, running on theclient device 210 can cooperate in two-way communication with server230. Server 230 may be coupled to database 240 to retrieve informationtherefrom and to store information thereto. Database 240 may include aplurality of different tables (not shown) that can be used by server 230to enable performance of various aspects of embodiments of theinvention. Additionally, the server 230 may be coupled to the computersystem 260 in a manner allowing the server to delegate certainprocessing functions to the computer system.

An embodiment of the invention includes a tax-data-processing engine270, the functionality of which is discussed more fully hereinafter. Atleast portions of the engine 270 may be executed by the server 230.Alternatively or additionally, at least portions of the engine 270 maybe executed by the computer system 260. The engine 270 may beimplemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combinationthereof

Still referring to FIG. 2, and in operation according to an embodimentof the invention, a user (not shown) of the client device 210 desiringto electronically prepare a tax return uses a browser applicationrunning on the client device to access web content, which may, but neednot, be served by the server 230. Specifically, by employing anappropriate uniform resource locator (URL) in a known manner, the usermay download from the server 230 and install on the client device 210 auser-interface module 280 comprising computer-executable instructions asdescribed more fully hereinafter. Alternatively, the user may receivethe module 280 on a tangible computer-readable medium (not shown), suchas, for example, a CD-ROM, and subsequently install the module on theclient device 210 from the medium.

Upon execution of the module 280 by the client device 210, and referringto FIG. 3, a user interface 310 may be displayed on the display device250. Features and functionality of the interface 310 are described incommonly owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/334,033 entitled “USER INTERFACE FOR TAX-RETURN PREPARATION,” nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,224,726, issued Jul. 17, 2012, which is, along withcommonly owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/334,730 entitled “USER INTERFACE AND DATA ACQUISITION FOR TAX-RETURNPREPARATION,” herein incorporated by reference.

In an embodiment, and still referring to FIG. 3, the user interface 310includes a plurality of panes 330 a-330 c within which information canbe displayed and/or entered. Although the user interface 310 illustratedin FIG. 3 includes three panes 330 a-330 c, it is to be understood thatembodiments of the invention described herein may be implemented in auser interface having more or fewer than three such panes.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the module 280 may employ one or moreappropriate uniform resource locators (URLs) in a known manner torequest one or more web pages 320 to be displayed in a pane 330. In anembodiment, the one or more web pages 320 present an interviewsoliciting entry by the user of tax data necessary to prepare a taxreturn. The one or more web pages 320 may be navigable by the user usinga conventional “Previous” button 340 and “Next” button 350 provided inthe user interface 310.

In an embodiment, as the tax data is entered by the user, the tax datais stored on the client device 210. At one or more points during theinterview process, portions of the tax data may be used to perform oneor more a calculations. For example, it may be necessary to calculatethe exclusion of a home sale or a tax refund. Accordingly, the tax datato be used for such a calculation may be provided by the client device210 to the engine 270. Upon receiving the tax data, the engine 270 mayperform the required calculation to yield a resulting value (e.g.,tax-refund amount). Subsequently, the server 230 may provide theresulting value to the client device 210. Alternatively or additionally,the engine 270 may, in response to receiving the tax data, provide tothe client device 210 a tax form corresponding to the data anddisplayable in the user interface 310.

Advantageously, in an embodiment, the tax data received by the engine270 is not stored by the server 230, the database 240 or the computersystem 260. Alternatively, the tax data is transiently stored in amemory device of the server 230 and/or the computer system 260. In thiscase, upon completion of the calculation, the tax data is immediatelypurged from the memory device.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process 400 according to an embodiment of theinvention. The process 400 is illustrated as a set of operations shownas discrete blocks. The process 400 may be implemented in any suitablehardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. The order in whichthe operations are described is not to be necessarily construed as alimitation.

At a block 410, a set of computer-executable instructions is provided toa tax-data provider that, when executed by an electronic device,generate a user interface displayable on a display device coupled to theelectronic device. The user interface may be operable to enable thetax-data provider to enter a tax-data set. For example, the tax-dataprovider may download from the server 230 and install on the clientdevice 210 a user-interface module 280 comprising computer-executableinstructions. Alternatively, the tax-data provider may receive themodule 280 on a tangible computer-readable medium (not shown). Uponexecution of the module 280 by the client device 210, a user interface310 may be displayed on the display device 250. The user interface mayenable presentation of an interview soliciting entry by the tax-dataprovider of tax data necessary to prepare a tax return.

At a block 420, an electronic system receives the tax-data set. In anembodiment, the electronic system does not store the tax-data set. Forexample, the tax data entered by the tax-data provider may be providedto the server 230. The tax data received by the server 230 is not storedby the server, the database 240 or the computer system 260.Alternatively, the tax data is transiently stored in a memory device ofthe server 230 and/or the computer system 260. In this case, uponcompletion of a calculation involving the tax data (described below withreference to block 430), the tax data is immediately purged from thememory device.

At a block 430, a mathematical operation using the received tax-data setis performed. The operation yields a value. For example, upon receipt ofthe tax data by the server 230, the engine 270 may perform a requiredtax-related calculation to yield a resulting value (e.g., tax-refundamount).

At a block 440, the electronic system provides the value to theelectronic device. For example, the server 230 may provide the resultingvalue to the client device 210. Subsequently, the client device 210,server 230, and/or computer system 260 may prepare and/or file anelectronic tax return using the tax data and/or calculations.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, as noted above, many changes can be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while thetax-data calculations have been primarily described herein as beingperformed by the engine 270, all or some of these calculations may beperformed by the client device 210. Additionally, the user interface 310may enable the user to choose which of the calculations (e.g., thoseinvolving particularly sensitive tax data) are to be performedexclusively by the client device 210. Accordingly, the scope of theinvention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment.In one embodiment, a business method comprises providing one or more ofthe features and/or functions described above to users free of chargeover the Internet. In another embodiment, the use of the system isprovided for preparation of federal tax returns free of charge, andcharges are only implied for non-federal (e.g. state returns).Alternatively, use for federal returns is charged, and for others isfree of charge. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely byreference to the claims that follow.

1. A method comprising: providing, to a tax-data provider, auser-interface module that, when executed by an electronic device,generates a user interface displayable on a display device coupled tothe electronic device and operable to enable the tax-data provider toenter a tax-data set; receiving, with an electronic system, the tax-dataset; performing, with the electronic system, a mathematical operationusing a portion of the received tax-data set, wherein the operationyields a value of a tax-refund amount, and wherein the tax-data set istransiently stored in the electronic system only until the operation isperformed; and transmitting, with the electronic system, the value tothe electronic device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing theuser-interface module comprises transferring the user-interface modulethrough a communications medium.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising providing, with the electronic system, one or more web pagesto the electronic device, the one or more web pages displayable in theuser interface, the one or more web pages including a field into whichthe tax-data provider can input the tax-data set.
 4. The method of claim1, further comprising preparing a tax return using the value.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, further comprising causing the tax return to beelectronically filed.
 6. A system, comprising: a user-interface moduleexecuted by a client device, the user-interface module operable togenerate a user interface displayable on a display device coupled to theclient device, the user interface operable to enable a tax-data providerto enter a tax-data set; and an electronic system operable to receivethe tax-data set from the client device, the electronic system furtheroperable to perform a mathematical operation using a portion of thereceived tax-data set, wherein the operation yields a value of atax-refund amount, and wherein, the tax-data set is transiently storedin the electronic system only until the operation is performed.
 7. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the user-interface module is further operableto perform the operation.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein theuser-interface module is further operable to enable the provider toselect one of the user-interface module and the electronic system toperform the operation.
 9. The system of claim 6 wherein theuser-interface module is further operable to cause a tax return to beprepared.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the user-interface moduleis further operable to cause the tax return to be electronically filed.11. The system of claim 6, wherein the user-interface module is furtheroperable to cause the tax-data set to be stored by the client device.12. The system of claim 6, wherein the electronic system is furtheroperable to transmit the value to the client device.
 13. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the user-interface module is further operable to causethe value to be stored by the client device.
 14. A non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium with an executable program storedthereon for distributed tax-return-preparation processing, wherein theprogram instructs a processor to perform the following steps: provide,to a processor associated with a user, a user-interface module that,when executed by an electronic device associated with the processor,generates a user interface displayable on a display device coupled tothe electronic device and operable to enable the user to enter atax-data set; receive, via a processor associated with a tax-preparationsystem, the tax-data set; perform, via the processor associated with thetax-preparation system, a mathematical operation using a portion of thereceived tax-data set, wherein the operation yields a value of atax-refund amount, and wherein the tax-data set is transiently stored inthe tax-preparation system only until the operation is performed; andtransmit, via the processor associated with the tax-preparation system,the value to the electronic device associated with the user.
 15. Thecomputer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein providing theuser-interface module comprises transferring the user-interface moduleto the user's display device through a communications medium.
 16. Thecomputer readable storage medium of claim 14, further comprisingproviding, with the tax-preparation system, one or more web pages to theelectronic device, the one or more web pages displayable in the userinterface, the one or more web pages including a field into which theuser can input the tax-data set.
 17. The computer readable storagemedium of claim 1, further comprising preparing a tax return using thevalue.
 18. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17, furthercomprising causing the tax return to be electronically filed.